Oklahoma at Denver

Recap

The Big Storyline: The Sooners were dominant in the Mile High City, beating the Pioneers by a full point and securing the highest score in January in NCAA history. They started strong, even with a few landings eluding them in the first half. Denver came alive in the third rotation with its second-highest beam score and highest floor score of the season, but Oklahoma did not let up and ultimately secured the victory with a 10 from senior Ragan Smith.

Implications: Oklahoma will remain No. 1 in the nation and No. 1 in the Big 12 while Denver will move up to No. 8 nationally after scoring a season high at home.

Records: Denver set an attendance record with a sellout crowd of 6,473. Oklahoma’s beam score of 49.725 is its third highest beam score in program history and eighth all time in NCAA history. Its team score of 198.425 is its fifth highest team score in program history.

Controversies: A tweet post-meet originally had Denver’s team total at 197.350; however, the live scores online did not counting Jessica Hutchinson’s floor score of 9.900.

Preview

Current Rankings: No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 9 Denver

Why You Should Clear Space on Your DVR: This top 10 battle features the top two teams in the Big 12 and could be crucial in determining placements for the conference championship in March. At last year’s meet, the Sooners earned their first 198 of the season. With the Sooners being so close to that number again thus far in 2023, this is the meet they could finally get over the hump. Meanwhile, Denver’s last victory against Oklahoma came at the 2021 Big 12 championship, but the last time the Pioneers won a dual meet against the Sooners was in 1999. The Pioneers have shown a lot of talent in the early weeks of the season and will want to put it all together against their biggest conference rival.

You Can Fast Forward, but not Through This: Denver’s vault rotation has already set a new program record this year, but the Sooners are coming into this meet as the No. 1 team on the event. These vaults, if stuck, are going to be something fans will not want to miss. Also keep an eye on beam; at one point, they were tied for the top score in the nation.